LEE BOYLE AND DAWN NIXON FROM BENWELL SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO DOG TROY

In a disturbing case of animal cruelty, Lee Boyle and his partner Dawn Nixon, both residents of Benwell, faced justice after neglecting their pet dog, Troy, to the point of severe malnutrition and suffering. The incident drew significant attention from local animal welfare authorities and the court, highlighting the ongoing issue of animal neglect in the Newcastle upon Tyne area.

Lee Boyle, born around 1977, and Dawn Nixon, born circa 1980, lived at 11 Pendower Way in Newcastle upon Tyne, NE15 6SN. Their case became a stark reminder of the importance of responsible pet ownership and the consequences of neglect. Boyle, who had a prior conviction dating back to 2006 involving the neglect of other animals, was already banned from keeping animals for life. That earlier case involved the tragic neglect and starvation of a Rottweiler named Bella, which had to be euthanized due to her dire condition, as well as a crossbreed named Buster.

Fast forward to the recent case, Boyle and Nixon were found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to Troy, a crossbreed Staffordshire Bull Terrier/American Bulldog. The RSPCA was called to investigate after a witness reported seeing Troy in such a state of emaciation that he was described as a “dead dog walking.” When the inspectors arrived, they found Troy in a deplorable condition, barely able to stand due to extreme malnutrition. The dog was trembling, with wounds on his front paws, hips, and the back of his legs, which were red, raw, and bleeding.

During questioning, Boyle admitted to RSPCA Inspector Kirsty Keogh-Laws that Troy had not been taken to a veterinarian for over two years. Veterinary examinations confirmed that Troy had been suffering from severe malnutrition and emaciation for more than five weeks. The evidence collected indicated that Troy’s suffering was ongoing and was a direct result of neglect by his owners.

It was revealed that Boyle had been forced to leave the family home, and the court heard that Troy’s condition deteriorated during a period when he was not in Boyle’s care. Nixon explained that she was unable to care for Troy properly due to her work commitments, which contributed to the neglect. The case was prosecuted in their absence after they failed to attend an earlier hearing, underscoring their disregard for the proceedings.

District Judge Begley described the case as an “appalling case of cruelty,” emphasizing the severity of the neglect inflicted upon Troy. Inspector Keogh-Laws expressed her heartbreak upon seeing photographs of Troy in such a terrible state, condemning the owners’ failure to seek help for their suffering pet. She stated, “There is no excuse to allow an animal to get into such an appalling condition and not seek help. There is always help available for those who need it, and we encourage people to seek out this help to prevent animals suffering. Owning an animal is a privilege – but this couple’s failure to address the causes of Troy’s poor bodily condition meant that was clearly not appreciated in this case.”

As a result of their actions, Boyle was sentenced to 24 weeks in jail, ordered to pay £225 in costs and charges, and received a lifetime ban from owning animals. Nixon received an 18-month community order, including 200 hours of unpaid work, and was also disqualified from keeping animals for life. The case serves as a stark warning about the consequences of animal cruelty and the importance of responsible pet ownership in the Newcastle upon Tyne community.